BEAUMONT, April 24, 2012 - A 48-year-old Pasadena, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Roberto Bahena-Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana on Apr. 23, 2012 before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone.

According to information presented in court, on Oct. 16, 2011, law enforcement officers received a tip that led them to a large outdoor and nascent indoor marijuana growing operation in the rural area of Hull, Texas in Liberty County. The investigation revealed more than 1,000 maturing marijuana plants on 225 acres on Private Road 2055. The operation included a trailer that was being outfitted with grow lights and heating/air conditioning for indoor cultivation of marijuana and a 12 gauge shotgun. Further investigation revealed Bahena-Garcia had purchased the property on July 8, 2010, and hired local laborers to make improvements to the property which included a cattle tank from which the marijuana plants were irrigated. Bahena-Garcia was indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 25, 2012.

Bahena-Garcia faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Liberty County Sheriff's Office and Texas Department of Public Safety Narcotics and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Craft.